Review: kINKED edited by Cori Vidae!

Release Date: March 14th, 2017

Type: Anthology, Short Stories, BDSM, Tattoos, Contemporary, Fantasy, Science Fiction

About the Book: Every tattoo tells a story...

A submissive pain slut receives a tattoo as a reward for years of selfless service. A man's body is used to deliver a very different kind of message to a domineering masochist. An exotic teahouse on an alien planet where one woman explores her submissiveness with a set of shapeshifting twins.

These and other sizzling stories take you to the places where kink meets ink and leave you indelibly marked.  [Description from Goodreads.com]
My Review: Anthologies are always a little hit and miss. Not everything can be exactly your style, right? And that's true here - but I have to say.. every story in this anthology was excellent. Even the stories I didn't necessarily like or get into, they were still incredibly written. For those that took place in different worlds or different time periods, the authors did a fantastic job giving the reader a scene of place and world building, even within such a short story. I couldn't put this book down. It was a one-sitting read for me, because each story was just as good as the last.

I'm going to highlight a few of my favorites..
My absolute favorite has to be Sae-ri by Nicole Blackwood. I thought the world this author created was amazing, and definitely very, very hot. I would love to see more in this setting, and even just more by this author. She has another short story in another anthology, so I might have to check it out.
Begin Again by Tiffany Michelle Brown was another one I really enjoyed.
And finally, Inkarnate by Mara Malins - another one I really got into from the very beginning.

So be sure to check out kINKED, edited by Cori Vidae! I know I have some BDSM and Tattoo-loving readers.. this is right up your alley!

Cover Lovin': Oh my. *Fans self*

Recommendation: You need to love your stories hot!

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5)! I loved this anthology, and even the stories that didn't "rev my engine," so to speak, were still beautifully written. Definitely worth a read!

Get your copy today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

New Release: INK EVER AFTER by Carrie Ann Ryan!

 

Carrie Ann Ryan's INK EVER AFTER is available now! Get deleted scenes and special novellas all in one place - and for just .99c at a special release week price!

 

About INK EVER AFTER

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Montgomery Ink and Talon Pack series comes an anthology filled with eleven bonus After-the-HEA novellas and short stories in most of her series.

Only $0.99 for ELEVEN bonus short stories from the Montgomery Ink, Talon Pack, and Dante's Circle series!

Get your hands on INK EVER AFTER:

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Google Play

 

About Carrie Ann Ryan

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest

Review: DOCTOR-PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY by Eme Strife

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Type: Serial Novel, Series, Book 1, New Adult, New Adult Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Need Book 2 Asap

About the Book: Two very different people. 
One scandalous proposition. 
Endless possibilities... 

*** 

I can't believe how different things are now; how complicated my life has become in such a short amount of time. 

It was never supposed to be like this. 

He's off limits. 

He's always been off limits. 

I keep telling myself that; that being here with him is not supposed to feel this good. 
God, he's not supposed to feel this good. 

I wonder what my life would have been like now if I had gone to the clinic on a different day, or if I had just insisted on going with the physician I was initially referred to. 

Never in my life would I have thought that in the events that followed the beginning of a regular school week, a random checkup would end up spawning a highly angst-filled, incredibly confusing, and quickly-unfolding mess. 

*** 

This story unfolds over multiple serials and this is the first book in the series. 

Rated 17+ 
This series contains mature and adult content (nudity, graphic sex, and strong language). 
Because of its explicit nature, it is intended for mature audiences only. Reader discretion is advised. [Description from Amazon.com]

My Review: I'm a New Adult junkie, I just can't get enough. Maybe because I'm a New Adult myself, and it's fun to read about characters that are near my own age. So of course I jumped on the chance to review this when the author asked. And I was glad I did! I had a great time reading "Doctor-Patient Confidentiality." I liked the characters - they felt real. And already, I could feel the zing between the main character and the hero.

"Doctor-Patient Confidentiality" is a serialized novel. So prepare yourself going in - this first book is actually just 1/5th of the story. That said, this story definitely has potential and will suck you right in. I read this all in one sitting, and no, not just because it was shot. I was enjoying myself while reading it. I will definitely be looking into the rest of the series. Can't wait!

Cover Lovin': What a tease this cover is! I know I would look into it if I saw this while browsing the store or Amazon.

Recommendation: For fans of steamy new adult contemporary romance. But be prepared to desperately need the next one!

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Writing is excellent, the story had me hooked. I just wish there had been more!

Series Order:

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Let's Eat Ramen and Other Doujinshi Short Stories" by Nagumo and Aji-Ichi

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Short Stories, Doujinshi, Ramen!

About the Book: Doujinshi, otherwise known as independent manga in Japan, is rarely published in English. In fact, it's considered underground and quite exclusive in its home country of Japan as well. Let's Eat Ramen and Other Doujinshi Short Stories finally gives western readers an exclusive look at the elusive world of contemporary Japanese doujinshi manga. Let's East Ramen is a three-part tale of Saeki, a girl who loves ramen noodles. At last, she thinks that she has finally found the perfect ramen shop, but the problem is the shop is completely full of old regulars and she can't get in. Will the timid Saeki ever summon the willpower to reach out and get the ramen that she desperately wants? [Summary provided by Goodreads.com]

My Review: This is my first foray into what's considered "underground" manga - also known as manga that hasn't made it to the USA before now. Most of what is popular in the US is very formulaic - almost like the same thing over and over. But there is manga of all different types available in Japan, and it's great that this is getting a chance to shine in the US. 

It was fascinating to read what is essentially a book of manga short stories. A graphic novel can take multiple volumes to equal what we know as one book. So to make it even shorter? Amazing! It was so cool to see how much information and story that got packed into such a few pages. Each story for original and interesting. The culture difference is pretty obvious - some things happen way faster than it may in the states, and Ramen is a whole different experience in Japan, - but it's a great into into a different culture. 

Overall, I'm giving this three stars. It was good, a fun and fast read for sure. But essentially, my love of this is more of the concept and culture than of the stories themselves.

Cover Lovin': Since "Let's Eat Ramen" is the main story of this collection, the cover image is fitting. And it will definitely appeal to its intended audience (manga fans).

Recommendation: For fans of manga and Japanese culture.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). Good, interesting, and different. Something to look into if you're a manga fan.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Shadow Show: Stories In Celebration of Ray Bradbury" by Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill, et al.

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Release Date: July 7th, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Comic Books, IDW Publishing, Anthology, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Ray Bradbury is the bomb

About the Book: In Shadow Show, acclaimed writers and artists such as Joe Hill, Mort Castle, Audrey Niffeneffer, Charles Paul Wilson III, Maria Frohlich, Eddie Campbell, Neil Gaiman, and more come together to pay tribute to the work of the one and only Ray Bradbury. In this collection are stories based on "By The Silver Water of Lake Champlain," "The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury," "Backward in Seville," "Weariness," "Live Forever!," "Who Knocks?," "Earth (A Gift Shop)," "Altenmoor, Where the Dogs Dance," and "Conjure." [Description provided by Netgalley.com]

My Review: Reviewing anthologies can always be difficult, since there is multiple authors and therefore multiple styles. Usually they run either really amazing, or ultimately forgettable. Shadow Show falls right down the middle of the road. There was one story that scared me, another that made me very sad, and a few I couldn't wait to end because they were mildly boring.

Anthologies are tough enough, but imagine a graphic novel anthology, where each story has to be broken up into panels. As a collection of short stories celebrating the great Ray Bradbury, this anthology is just okay. But as a collection of comic shorts, this was very well done. The art was great, and each singular graphic novel flows well into the next one.

Cover Lovin': This cover is all over the place - which is very fitting considering that is how the book runs as well. This cover also looks very similar to the Unwritten series by Mike Carey.

Recommendation: For fans of Ray Bradbury, of course!

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). Like all anthologies, some stories were amazing, and some were... not-so. And therefore, it evens out to a solid, enjoyable three.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW "Unsavory Delicacies" by Russell Brooks

Why this book?: Author requested a review, and I needed a change of "scenery" [in this case, genre] - so I chose some good old fashioned action!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me in exchange for a review.

Type: Action, Short Stories, Anthology, Suspense

About the book: Crème Brulé—Rogue operative, Monique Beauvais, cons a software genius into selling her a coveted technology that would allow its user to control CIA drones while they’re in flight. And she will go as far as killing him in public in order to have it.

To the Last Bite—A renowned food critic—whose scathing reviews have closed down restaurants—gets a savoury surprise.
Shashlyk and Morezhenoe—CIA operative, Ridley Fox, leads a team against one of Russia’s most powerful crime families. He discovers secrets, but not one that he was expecting to find.My Review: "Unsavory Delicacies" features three short stories by author Russell Brooks, each involving food in some way. Fans of Russell's earlier novel "Pandora's Succession," will delight at seeing Ridley Fox's return. And frankly, just reading the stories involving Fox really made me want to pick up "Pandora's Succession" and read more, he's an interesting and driven character - and that comes through even in such short fiction.

I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite out of the three stories, with "Creme Brule" and "To the Last Bite" being tied for first. "To the Last Bite" contains a rather delicious [ha, ha] surprise ending. Just when I was wondering how the author was going to wrap this story up, what the final conclusion was going to be - he throws the reader for a loop. And "Creme Brule" contained one of my favorite types of action scenes/stories - a professional versus a professional. The battle of wits and skills. "Shashlyk and Moreznenoe," while not my top favorite, was still really good, and seemed to be setting up the scene for a future Ridley Fox novel - fingers crossed!

Cover Loving: Excellent!

Recommendation: Fans of Russell Brooks will enjoy his newest release, as will fans of good fiction in general. Action fans should definitely check it out.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). Great, quick read - good to the last bite, so to speak.

Buy the book!
Amazon
AmazonUK
Smashwords
Barnes And Noble
XinXii

Be sure to check out "Unsavory Delicacies" for an action packed, suspenseful romp!
Happy reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~